Share your views on reporting changes in circumstances for PIP
What is the research about?
We're inviting you to take part in a conversation about how the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) communicates with people receiving the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) about reporting changes in their circumstances.
PIP provides financial support to help with extra living costs for people with disabilities and/or long-term health conditions.
The research is being carried out by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen), an independent research organisation. The work has been commissioned by DWP. NatCen's role is to speak to a range of participants receiving PIP about their experiences and views, and to report anonymised findings to DWP. NatCen operates independently from DWP.
Your participation is:
- Voluntary – you do not have to take part if you do not want to.
- Confidential – your identity will not be linked to anything you say during the conversation.
- Not linked to your dealings with DWP – taking part will not affect your benefits or future claims. Findings will be anonymised so DWP will not know that you have taken part.
- For research purposes only.
The conversation aims to understand:
- Your understanding of when changes in circumstances should be reported to DWP.
- Your views on communications from DWP (including example letters) about reporting changes in circumstances.
- Your reactions to example text messages (SMS) and other communications about reporting changes.
- How DWP can make information and communications clearer, more supportive and easier to understand.
Your feedback will help DWP improve how it communicates with those receiving PIP about reporting changes in circumstances and ensure that these individuals have the information they need to make informed decisions.
As a thank you for taking part, you will receive a £40 Love2shop voucher which can be used at many high street shops.
Is it easy to take part?
The conversation will take place online using Microsoft Teams and will last for up to one hour. You will be contacted by our research team to arrange a convenient time to take part.
We would like to audio record this conversation. This is so we have an accurate record of what is discussed. The recordings will be securely stored by NatCen and only accessed by researchers working on the project and our approved transcription service. Recordings will not be shared with DWP and will be deleted once the project has been completed.
If you do not wish to be recorded, you can still take part. We will ask for your permission before any recording begins.
You are free to join the meeting with your camera switched off is this is more comfortable for you. You are welcome to have a relative, friend or support worker with you during the conversation.
If you don’t want to be contacted again about this research or would like more information:
- Contact NatCen by phone on 0800 652 4569 or by email at PIPCoCStudy@natcen.ac.uk.
We hope you will be able to help us with this important research. #
Who is carrying out the research?
We have a generic page for NatCen which you can see here. Taking part pages will now all feature a link to this page.
If further information is needed, such as about the funders or partners, please include below.
Why have I been selected to take part?
You previously took part in research about PIP and agreed that you could be contacted about future research studies.
We would like to hear about your experiences and views as someone who currently receives PIP. The conversation will focus on communications about reporting changes in circumstances and how these communications could be improved.
What is a change in circumstance?
People receiving PIP are asked to tell DWP if there is a change in their circumstances that could affect their award.
For example, this could include changes in:
- You need more or less help with daily living and mobility tasks.
- Your health professional tells you that your condition will last for a longer or shorter time than you reported before.
- Where you live.
- Other circumstances relevant to a PIP claim.
DWP would like to understand how people interpret information about reporting changes and whether communications can make this process clearer and easier.
More information about reporting a change to needs or circumstances is available at https://www.gov.uk/pip/change-of-circumstances.
What are the benefits of taking part?
Your feedback will help DWP improve communications about reporting changes in circumstances.
In particular, you will help DWP understand:
- How customers decide whether a change should be reported.
- What information people need in order to take action.
- How text messages and other communications can be more supportive and reassuring.
- How information about reporting changes can be made easier to understand.
As a thank you, you will receive a £40 Love2shop voucher.
What does taking part involve?
The conversation will focus on:
- Your experiences of communications from DWP.
- Your understanding of reporting changes in circumstances.
- Your views on example text messages and other communications.
- What might encourage or discourage someone from reporting a change.
- Suggestions for improving communications and information.
Please note:
- Taking part will not affect any benefits you receive.
- DWP will not know whether you have taken part.
- There are no right or wrong answers. We are interested in your opinions and experiences.
What help can I get to make taking part easier?
We can provide:
- Shorter conversation time slots – for example, 30 minutes instead of 60 minutes.
- Regular breaks during the conversation.
- Large print versions of research information.
If you require any adjustments to support your participation, please let us know before the conversation via email at PIPCoCStudy@natcen.ac.uk or call us on 0800 652 4569.
Is the information I provide safe?
The information you provide will be treated in strict confidence and handled in accordance with data protection legislation.
Your personal information will be:
- Kept confidential.
- Stored securely by NatCen.
- Used only for research purposes.
- Not shared outside the research team and recruitment partners.
- Anonymised before findings are shared with DWP, so you cannot be identified.
Contact us:
If you have any questions, please contact us on PIPCoCStudy@natcen.ac.uk or call us on 0800 652 4569.
If you wish to contact the DWP about this study, email htp.research@dwp.gov.uk.
Where can I access additional support?
We are aware that topics discussed in this conversation may raise issues which you might like further advice and support about. This page provides the contact information for a range of organisations, which you may find useful.
All of these phone numbers are free to call.
CITIZENS ADVICE
Advice on debt, benefits, employment, housing, and discrimination.
Advice line (England): 0800 144 8848
Advice line (Wales): 0800 702 2020
Web address: Citizens Advice
THE TRUSSELL TRUST
Nationwide network of food banks providing emergency food and support.
Contact: 01722 580 180
Web address: Trussell Trust
UNIVERSAL CREDIT (UC) HELPLINE
Advice on universal credit
Contact: 0800 328 5644
Web address: Universal Credit
DISABILITY RIGHTS UK
Charity that represents the needs of disabled people in the UK, including providing information and advice on benefits, rights, and independent living.
Contact: 0330 995 0400
Web address: Disability Rights
SENSE
Charity providing support to people who are deaf, blind, or living with complex disabilities.
Contact: 0300 330 9256
Web address: Sense
MENCAP
Charity supporting people with a learning disability.
Contact: 0808 808 1111
Web address: Mencap
THE SAMARITANS
Confidential, non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Helpline: 116 123
Web address: Samaritans | Here to listen
MIND
Advice and support to anyone experiencing mental health problems.
Info line: 030 123 3393
Web address: Mind UK
SUPPORTLINE
Confidential emotional support to children, young adults, and adults.
Contact: 01708 765200
Web address: SupportLine